Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change
The case for investing in social housing is as strong as it has ever been. This is why social housing remains a key priority for this Government and it is why we have set out the challenging commitment to deliver 20,000 new low carbon homes for rent within the social sector during this government term.
Our 20,000 target focusses on increasing homes within the social sector. Let me be absolutely clear, this target is not about market housing. Nevertheless, I believe in truly sustainable communities and to achieve this we must ensure communities are mixed tenure.
Whilst there is a continued need in Wales for market housing, our 20,000 target will focus exclusively on homes rented out by social landlords. We will define our target within the recognised TAN2 affordable housing definition[1]. It will only include social homes for rent, intermediate homes for rent and shared ownership schemes.
Building homes takes time and there is a need for housing now across Wales, it is crucial that social landlords are able to meet this immediate housing need and that the option of doing so through acquisitions where appropriate remains. Acquisitions are important in helping to meet the needs of our most vulnerable groups, especially in helping to ensure we can quickly move those currently in temporary accommodation on to permanent homes. Whilst our focus is building new homes with the vast majority of our commitment delivered by building new homes, we recognise the role acquisitions can play and therefore acquisitions will contribute to the housing target.
I want to make it clear that this should be a priority we, as Senedd Members, all support and should all be working towards; for now more than ever, we can appreciate what it means to have a safe, secure roof over our heads and somewhere to call home.
[1] https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2018-09/tan2-planning-affordable-housing.pdf